The Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce has officially opened its nomination process for the 2022 Citizen/Group of the Year Awards, with the presentation luncheon to take place at the Moose Jaw Heritage Inn on Jan. 31, 2023.
Nominations can be submitted online at mjchamber.com/citizen-group-of-the-year or in-person at the Chamber office at 88 Saskatchewan Street East.
The nomination process will be open until Jan. 20, 2023.
Judging is carried out by an anonymous jury from the community, said Heather Bergdahl at the Chamber of Commerce. Only she and Chamber President Rob Clark know who the jury members are, and they are people who "have their finger on the pulse" of what's happening in Moose Jaw.
"We always announce the nominations before the Christmas holidays, you know, in anticipation of folks getting together and maybe they'll start chatting about people or groups who are deserving," Bergdahl noted. "There's so many people out there and also so many groups that have done tremendous things this past year, and this is an opportunity for nominations to be put forward and have those folks recognized."
The awardees for 2021 were Angela Sereda as Citizen of the Year, and the Moose Jaw Transition House as Group of the Year.
Sereda founded the Community Paramedicine program in Moose Jaw, is chair of the Heartland Hospice board, co-founded the Tru-Unity International Day of the Girl event, and has been an active volunteer and leader in the community in many other ways.
The Moose Jaw Transition House is a refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence. It provides an emergency shelter, a 24-hour crisis line, a community outreach program, a program for children who have been exposed to violence, and a shelter support and follow-up program.
Information on Transition House’s programs can be found at www.mj-transitionhouse.com/services. Their 24-hour crisis line is (306) 693-6511, and those unable to call can text (306) 631-0962.
Bergdahl said that many of those citizens and groups nominated for the awards each year do their work in the background and may not want recognition — let alone go looking for it. Nevertheless, highlighting their contributions is inspiring and can make a positive difference.
"I think it's important for the community, and the business community as well, to recognize the backbone of our city," she explained. "These people and groups really do tremendous work behind the scenes and sometimes folks don't have the opportunity to put a name to this event or that initiative that's been done."
Most people who are nominated are very humbled, Bergdahl added, and there are always those who are on the shy side.
"But I think they do truly appreciate it," she said.
